CE113

Geotechnical Engineering 1
(Soil Mechanics)
Soil Classification
Prepared by:
Engr. Marc Lin F. Abonales, ME-CE
Instructor
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

INTRODUCTION
Soils with similar properties may be classified into groups and subgroups
based on their engineering behavior. Classification systems provide a common
language to express concisely the general characteristics of soils, which are
infinitely varied, without a detailed description.
At the present time, three elaborate classification systems that use the grain-
size distribution and plasticity of soils are commonly used by soils engineers
and soils scientists. These are:
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Textural Classification Chart:
Used mostly by Agriculturists
• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Classification System: Used mostly by state and county highway departments
• Unified Soil Classification System (USCS): Usually preferred by Geotechnical
Engineers
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

SOIL PARTICLE SIZE

Irrespective of the origin of soil, the sizes of particles in general, that make up
soil, vary over a wide range. Soils are generally called gravel, sand, silt or clay,
depending on the predominant size of particles within the soil. To describe
soils by their particle size, several organizations have developed soil-separate-
size limits.
• Gravels: this are pieces of rocks with occasional particles of quartz,
feldspar, and other minerals.
• Sands: this are made of mostly quartz and feldspar. Other mineral grains
may also be present at times.
• Silts: This are the microscopic soil fractions that consist of very fine quartz
grains and some flake-shaped particles that are fragments of micaceuos
minerals.
• Clays: This are mostly flake-shaped microscopic and submicroscopic
particles of mica, clay minerals, and other mineral.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

SOIL PARTICLE SIZE

Grain Size Range (mm)

Soil Type USDA AASHTO USCS
Gravel >2 76.2 to 2 76.2 to 4.75
Sand 2 to 0.05 2 to 0.075 4.75 to 0.075
Silt 0.05 to 0.002 0.075 to 0.002 Fines < 0.075
Clay < 0.002 < 0.002
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Mechanical The determination of the size range of

Analysis/Particle-Size particles present in a soil, expressed as a
Distribution/Grain-Size percentage of the total dry weight (or
Analysis mass).

Two methods are generally used to find the particle-size distribution of

soil:
(1) Sieve Analysis – For particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter
(Coarse-grained soil)
(2) Hydrometer Analysis – For particle sizes smaller than 0.075 mm in
diameter (Fine-grained soil)
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils

Sieve Analysis It consists of shaking the soil sample through a set of

sieves that have progressively smaller openings.
The distribution of particle
sizes or average grain
diameter of coarse-grained
soils – gravels and sands – is
obtained by screening a
known weight of the soil
through a stack of sieves of
progressively finer mesh size.
A typical stack of sieves is shown in the figure above
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils
U.S. standard sieve number and the sizes of
openings are given in the table.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils
The results are plotted on a graph of percent of particles finer than a given
Each sieve is identified by a number that corresponds to the sieve (not the percent retained) as the ordinate versus the logarithm of the
number of square holes per linear inch of mesh. The particle particle sizes or sieve opening size. The resulting plot is called a particle
diameter in the screening process is the maximum particle size distribution curve or, simply, the gradation curve. Engineers have found it
dimension to pass through the square hole of a particular convenient to use a logarithm scale for particle size because the ratio of
mesh. particle sizes from the largest to the smallest in a soil can be greater than
104.
A known weight of dry soil is placed on the largest sieve
(the top sieve) and the nest of sieves (a pan is placed below Following are the steps showing the calculation procedure for a sieve
the stack) is then placed on a vibrator, called a sieve shaker, analysis:
and shaken. The smallest-size sieve that should be used for 1. Starting from the top sieve determine the mass of soil retained on each
this type of test is the U.S. No. 200 sieve. sieve (i.e., M1, M2,…..Mn) and in the pan (i.e., Mp).
2. Determine the total mass of the soil: M1 + M2 + …. + Mi + …. + Mn + Mp =
The nest of sieves is dismantled, one sieve at a time. The ∑M.
soil retained on each sieve is weighted and the percentage 3. Determine the cumulative mass of soil retained above each sieve. For
of soil retained on each sieve is calculated. When cohesive the ith sieve, it is M1 + M2 + …. + Mi.
soils are analyzed, breaking the lumps into individual 4. The mass of soil passing the ith sieve is ∑M – (M1 + M2 + …. + Mi).
particles may be difficult. In this case, the soil may be 5. The percent of soil passing the ith sieve (or percent finer) is
mixed with water to make a slurry and then washed through 𝚺𝐌 − (𝐌𝟏 + 𝐌𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝐌𝐢 )
the sieves. 𝐅 = 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝚺𝐌
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils Once the percent finer for each sieve is calculated, the
calculations are plotted on semilogarithmic graph paper with
percent finer as the ordinate (arithmetic scale) and sieve opening
size as the abscissa (logarihmic scale).
Let Wi be the weight of soil retained on the ith sieve from
the top of the nest of sieves and W be the total soil weight.
The percent weight retained is
𝐖𝐢
%𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐖
The percent finer is
𝐢

%𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − ෍(%𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞)

𝐢=𝟏

Note: You can use mass instead of weight. The unit of

mass is grams or kilograms.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Fine-Grained Soils
Hydrometer It is a widely used method of obtaining an estimate of the distribution
of soil particle sizes from the No. 200 sieve to around 0.01 mm. It is
Analysis based on the principle of sedimentation of soil grains in water.
The hydrometer test involves mixing a small amount of soil
into a suspension and observing how the suspension settles in
time. Larger particles will settle quickly followed by smaller
particles. When the hydrometer is lowered into the
suspension, it will sink into the suspension until the buoyancy
force is sufficient to balance the weight of the hydrometer. The
length of the hydrometer projecting above the suspension is a
function of the density, so it is possible to calibrate the
hydrometer to read the density of the suspension at different
times. The calibration of the hydrometer is affected by
temperature and the specific gravity of the suspended solids.
A correction factor is apply to the hydrometer reading based
on the test temperature.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Fine-Grained Soils
In the laboratory, the hydrometer test is conducted in a When a soil specimen is dispersed in water, the particles settle at
sedimentation cylinder with 50 g of oven-dry sample. The different velocities, depending on their shape, size, and weight. For
sedimentation is 457 mm high and 63.5 mm in diameter. It is simplicity, it is assumed that all the soil particles are spheres, and the
marked for a volume of 1000 ml. Sodium hexametaphosphate is velocity of soil particles can be expressed by Stoke’s law, according to
generally used as the dispersing agent. The volume of the which
dispersed soil suspension is brought up to 1000 ml by adding Thus,
distilled water.
When hydrometer is placed in the soil suspension at a 𝑳 (𝒄𝒎)
time t, measured from the start of sedimentation, it measures the 𝑫 𝒎𝒎 = 𝑲
specific gravity in the vicinity of its bulb at a depth L. The specific 𝒕 (𝒎𝒊𝒏)
gravity is a function of the amount of soil particles present per
unit volume of suspension at that depth. Hydrometers are
designed to give the amount of soil, in grams, that is still in 𝟑𝟎𝜼
suspension. 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆: 𝑲 =
By knowing the amount of soil in suspension, L and t, 𝑮𝒔 − 𝟏
the percentage of soil by weight finer than a given diameter can
be calculated.
Note that L is the depth measured from the surface of Note that the value of K is a function
the water to the center of gravity of the hydrometer bulb at which of Gs and 𝜼, which are dependent on
the density of the suspension is measured. the temperature of the test.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Fine-Grained Soils
Hydrometers are calibrated
for soils that have a specific
gravity (Gs) of 2.65; for soils
of other specific gravity, it is
necessary to make
corrections.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE-SIZE OF SOILS

Particle Size of Fine-Grained Soils
There are several assumptions made in Stokes’ law
that are not fulfilled by the hydrometer test. In Stokes’ law,
the particles are assumed to be free-falling spheres with no
collision, but the mineral particles of clays are plate-like and
collision of particles during sedimentation is unavoidable.
However, the results of this test suffice for most geotechnical
engineering needs.
In many instances, the results of sieve analysis
and hydrometer analysis for finer fractions for a given soil
are combined on one graph, such as the one shown. When
these results are combined, a discontinuity generally occurs
in the range where they overlap. This discontinuity occurs
because soil particles are generally irregular in shape. Sieve
analysis gives the intermediate dimensions of a particle;
hydrometer analysis gives the diameter of an equivalent sphere
that would settle at the same rate as the soil particle.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE
The grain-size characteristics of a soil are given here: ANSWERS
Size (mm) Percent finer a. Particle-size distribution curve

0.425 100
0.033 90
0.018 80
0.01 70
0.0062 60
0.0035 50
b. By USDA System:
0.0018 40 • Gravel = 0%
• Sand = 8%
0.001 35 • Silt = 51%
• Clay = 41%
a. Draw the particle-size distribution curve.
c. By AASHTO System:
b. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay • Gravel = 0%
according to the USDA system. • Sand = 5%
c. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay • Silt = 54%
according to the AASHTO system. • Clay = 41%
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
The following are the results of a sieve analysis: U.S. sieve no. Opening (mm) Percent finer (%)
4 4.75 100
U.S. sieve no. Opening (mm) Mass of soil 10 2.00 95.2
retained on 20 0.850 84.2
each sieve (g)
40 0.425 61.4
4 4.75 0 60 0.250 41.6
10 2.00 21.6 100 0.150 20.4
200 0.075 6.9
20 0.850 49.5
Pan --- 0
40 0.425 102.6
60 0.250 89.1
100 0.150 95.6
200 0.075 60.4
Pan --- 31.2

Determine the percent finer than each sieve size and

plot a grain-size distribution curve.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s

Textural Classification Chart
Using the soil texture triangle, scientists have This method is based on the following limits of
created classes which break the distribution of particle size:
particle sizes (soil textures) into 12 categories:
clay, sandy clay, silty clay, sandy clay loam, clay • Sand size: 2.00 to 0.005 mm in diameter
loam, silty clay loam, sand, loamy sand, sandy • Silt size: 0.05 to 0.002 mm in diameter
loam, loam, silt loam, silt. • Clay size: smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter
The soil texture triangle is one of the tools that
soil scientists use to visualize and understand
the meaning of soil texture names. The textural
triangle is a diagram which shows how each of
these 12 textures is classified based on the
percent of sand, silt, and clay in each.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s

Textural Classification Chart
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
Classify a soil sample The soil is sandy
that is 30% clay, 15% clay loam.
silt, and 55% sand
using USDA textural
classification chart.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
A soil has the following particle- The soil is clay.
size distribution.
• Gravel = 20%
• Sand = 10%
• Silt = 30%
• Clay = 40%
Classify the soil according to
USDA textural classification
system.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Estimating Soil Texture By Feel (Feel Analysis)

Laboratory analyses of soil texture are A person must be familiar with the
costly and take time, while feeling soil composition of the local soils. This is
texture by hand is quick, free, and, with because certain characteristics of soils can
practice, highly accurate. Texture class can create incorrect results if the person does
be determined fairly well in the field by not take these characteristics into account.
feeling the sand particles and estimating • The term coarse-textured is often used for
silt and clay content by flexibility and soils that are dominated by sand.
stickiness. There is no field mechanical- • Fine-textured refers to soils that are
analysis procedure that is as accurate as dominated by clay
the fingers of an experienced scientist, • Medium-textured soils are a more
especially if standard samples are balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay
available. particles.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Flow chart to determine soil

texture by feel
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System
The classification system is based on the following criteria:
According to this system, soil is 1. Grain size
classified into seven major groups: A-1 a. Gravel: fraction passing the 75 mm sieve and
through A-7. retained on the No. 10 (2 mm) U.S. sieve
b. Sand: fraction passing the No. 10 (2 mm) U.S. sieve
and retained on the No. 200 (0.075 mm) U.S. sieve
Soils classified into groups: c. Silt and clay: fraction passing the No. 200 U.S. sieve
• A-1, A-2, and A-3: These are granular 2. Plasticity
a. The term silty is applied when the fine fractions of
materials where 35% or less of the the soil have a plasticity index of 10 or less.
particles pass through the No. 200 b. The term clayey is applied when the fine fractions
sieve. have a plasticity index of 11 or more.
3. If cobbles and boulders (size larger than 75 mm) are
• A-4, A-5, A-6, and A-7: These are mostly encountered, they are excluded from the portion of the
silt and clay-type materials where soil sample on which classification is made.
more than 35% pass through the No. Classification of materials in the various groups applies
only to the fraction passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve.
200 sieve. However, the percentage of such material is recorded.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System
The AASHTO classification system in present use is given in the table.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System

To classify a soil according to the

table, the test data are applied from left to
right. By process of elimination, the first
group from the left into which the test data
will fit is the correct classification.

The figure shown is a plot of the

range of the liquid limit and the plasticity
index for soils which fall into groups A-2,
A-4, A-5, A-6, and A-7.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System
For the evaluation of the quality of a soil as a highway subgrade material, a number called
the group index (GI) (Empirical Formula used to evaluate soils in a group) is also incorporated with the
groups and subgroups of the soil. This number is written in parentheses after the group or subgroup
designation. The group index is given by the equation:
𝑮𝑰 = 𝑭 − 𝟑𝟓 [𝟎. 𝟐 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 𝑳𝑳 − 𝟒𝟎 ] + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏(𝑭 − 𝟏𝟓)(𝑷𝑰 − 𝟏𝟎)

The partial group index The partial group index

determined from the liquid limit determined from the plasticity
Where: index
F = percentage passing No. 200 (75-µm) sieve, expressed as a whole
number
LL = liquid limit
PI = plasticity index
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System

Following are some rules for determining the group index:

1. If the calculated group index is negative, report the group index as zero (0).
2. If the soil is nonplastic and when the liquid limit cannot be determined, report the group index
as zero (0).
3. Report the group index to the nearest whole number. (for example, GI = 3.4 is rounded off to 3; GI
= 3.5 is rounded off to 4).
4. There is no upper limit for the group index.
5. The group index of soils belonging to groups A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4, A-2-5, and A-3 is always 0.
6. When calculating the group index for soils that belong to groups A-2-6 and A-2-7, use the partial
group index for PI, or

𝑮𝑰 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏(𝑭 − 𝟏𝟓)(𝑷𝑰 − 𝟏𝟎)

 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials (AASHTO) Classification System

The group index value may be estimated using the

figure shown by determining the partial group index
due to the liquid limit and that due to the plasticity
index, then obtaining the total of the two partial group
indexes.

In general, the quality of performance of a soil as a

subgrade material is inversely proportional to the
group index. A group index of 0 indicates a “good”
subgrade material and a group index of 20 or greater
indicates a “very poor” subgrade material.

Group index values should only be used to compare

soils within the same group and not between groups.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil
are as follows: The soil is
• Percent passing through the No. 10 sieve
= 100 classified as A-4(3).
• Percent passing through the No. 40 sieve
= 80
• Percent passing through the No. 200
sieve = 58

The liquid limit and plasticity index of the

minus No. 40 fraction of the soil are 30 and 10,
respectively. Classify the soil by the AASHTO
system.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
Ninety-five percent of a soil The soil is
passes through the No. 200
classified as A-7-
sieve and has a liquid limit of
60 and plasticity index of 40. 6(42).
Classify the soil by the
AASHTO system.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

The original form of this system was This system classifies soils into two broad
proposed by Casagrande in 1948 for use in categories:
the airfield construction works undertaken 1. Coarse-grained soils: with less than 50% passing
by the Army Corps of Engineers during World through the No. 200 sieve. The group symbols
War II. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of start with a prefix of either
Reclamation, this system was revised in a. G: stands for gravel or gravelly soil
1952. At present, it is widely used by b. S: stands for sand or sandy soil
engineers. 2. Fine-grained soils: with 50% or more passing
through the No. 200 sieve. The group symbols
start with a prefix of
a. M: stands for inorganic silt
b. C: stands for inorganic clay
c. O: stands for organic silts and clays
d. Pt: is used for peat, muck, and other highly
organic soils.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

For Group symbols used:

Primary Components: Secondary Components:

• For Coarse-Grained Soils • For Coarse-Grained Soils
G = Gravel M = Silty
S = Sand C = Clayey
• For Fine-Grained Soils P = Poorly Graded (same relative grain size)
M = Silt W = Well Graded (different grain sizes)
C = Clay • For Fine-Grained Soils
O = Organic L = Low plasticity (Lean for Clay)
H = High plasticity (Fat for Clay, Elastic for
Silt)
It uses 2 or 4 letter Group
Symbols and Group Names.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
Key Particle Sizes (D = Diameter):
The particle-size distribution • D60 = Diameter corresponding to 60% finer in the grain size
curve can be used to distribution.
compare different soils. Real • D50 = Diameter corresponding to 50% finer in the grain size
distribution. This is the average grain size diameter of the soil.
soils consist of a mixture of • D30 = Diameter corresponding to 30% finer in the grain size
particle sizes. The selection distribution.
of a soil for a particular use • D10 = Diameter corresponding to 10% finer in the grain size
distribution. Also known as Effective Size.
may depend on the
assortment of particles it Key Coefficients (C):
contains. Two coefficients • Cu = Uniformity coefficient (A numerical measure of uniformity)
have been defined to provide Cu = D60/D10
• Cc = Coefficient of curvature (other terms used are the coefficient of
guidance on distinguishing gradation and the coefficient of concavity)
soils based on the distribution Cc = (D30)2/(D10D60)
of the particles.
The uniformity coefficient and coefficient of curvature are strictly applicable
to coarse-grained soils.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
The effective diameter, D10, is the diameter of an artificial
sphere that will approximately produce the same effect of an
irregular shaped particle. The effective size is particularly
important in regulating the flow of water through soils and can
dictate the mechanical behavior of soils since the coarser
fractions may not be in effective contact with each other; that is,
they float in a matrix of finer particles. The higher the D10 value,
the coarser the soil and the better the drainage characteristics.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Characterization of Soils Based on Particle Size
The particle-size distribution curve shows not only the range of
particle sizes present in a soil, but also the distribution of various
curves. Three curves are shown:
• Poorly graded or uniformly graded: It represents a type of soil in
which most of the soil grains are the same size
a. It has a uniformity coefficient of < 4 (The minimum
value of Cu is 1)
b. The gradation curve for a uniform soil is almost vertical
(steep gradation curve)
• Well graded: It represents a soil in which the particle sizes are
distributed over a wide range. A soil might have a combination
of two or more uniformly graded fractions.
a. It has a uniformity coefficient of > 4
b. The coefficient of curvature is between 1 and 3
c. It has a flat gradation curve
• Gap graded: A soil that has an excess or deficiency of certain
particle sizes or a soil that has at least one particle size
missing.
a. The coefficient of curvature is outside the range of 1 to 3
(<1 or >3)
b. A sudden change of slope in the particle-size distribution.
c. One or more humps on the gradation curves
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Plasticity Chart
Liquid and plastic limits are determined by relatively simple
laboratory tests that provide information about the nature of
cohesive soils. The tests have been used extensively by engineers
for correlation of several physical soil parameters as well as for soil
identification. Casagrande (1932) studied the relationship of the
plasticity index to the liquid limit of a wide variety of natural soils.
On the basis of the test results, he proposed a plasticity chart as
shown in the figure. Some important features of the chart:
a. The A-line separates the inorganic clays (lie above the A-line)
from the inorganic silts (lie below the A-line)
b. The U-line is approximately the upper limit of the relationship
of the plasticity index to the liquid limit for any soil found so far.

The information provided in the plasticity chart is of great value and is

the basis for the classification of fine-grained soils in the Unified Soil
Classification System.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

For proper classification according to this system, some or all of the following information
must be known:

1. Percent of gravel: the fraction passing the 76.2-mm sieve and retained on the No. 4
sieve (4.75-mm opening).
2. Percent of sand: the fraction passing the No. 4 sieve (4.75-mm opening) and retained on
the No. 200 sieve (0.075-mm opening).
3. Percent of silt and clay: the fraction finer than the No. 200 sieve (0.075-mm opening).
4. Uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of gradation (Cc).
5. Liquid limit and plasticity index of the portion of soil passing the No. 40 sieve.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Flowchart for Classifying Coarse-Grained Soils (More than 50%

Retained on No. 200 Sieve)
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Flowchart for Classifying Fine-Grained Soils (50% or More

Passes No. 200 Sieve)
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Flowchart for Classifying Organic Fine-Grained Soils (50% or

More Passes No. 200 Sieve)
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Classifying Organic Fine-Grained Soils
a. The soil is an organic silt or clay if organic matter is In using the flowcharts, one needs to remember that in a given
present in sufficient amounts to influence the liquid soil:
limit.
b. The soil is an organic silt or organic clay if the • Fine fraction = % passing No. 200 sieve
liquid limit after oven drying is less than 75% of the • Coarse fraction = % retained on No. 200 sieve
liquid limit of the original specimen determined • Gravel fraction = % retained on No. 4 sieve
before oven drying. • Sand fraction = (% retained on No. 200 sieve) – (%
c. If the soil has a dark color and an organic odor retained on No. 4 sieve)
when moist and warm, a second liquid limit test
shall be performed on a test specimen which has
been oven dried to a constant weight, typically over
night.
Classification of Peat
A sample composed primarily of vegetable tissue in
various stages of decomposition and has a fibrous to
amorphous texture, a dark-brown to black color, and an
organic odor should be designated as a highly organic soil and
shall be classified as peat, PT, and not subjected to the
classification procedures.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
The results of the particle-size analysis of a soil
are as follows:
• Percent passing through the No. 10 sieve
The soil is
= 100
• Percent passing through the No. 40 sieve
classified as Sandy
= 80
• Percent passing through the No. 200
lean clay (CL).
sieve = 58

The liquid limit and plasticity index of the

minus No. 40 fraction of the soil are 30 and 10,
respectively. Classify the soil by the Unified
classification system. Give the group symbol
and group name.
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE ANSWERS
The table below shows the laboratory results of the sieve
analysis of a sample.
Size (mm)
0.25
Weight retained
18.96
a. Sandy loam
0.149
0.074
33.18
45.03
b. A-6(11)
0.052
0.02
54.51
42.66 c. Sandy lean clay,
CL
0.01 11.85
0.004 4.74
0.001 4.74
Pan 21.33

The soil has a liquid limit of 35% and plasticity index of

26%. Classify the soil according to
a. USDA
b. AASHTO
c. USCS
 SOIL MECHANICS
SOIL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE
From CE Licensure Examination, May 2003 ANSWERS
The table below shows the laboratory results of the sieve analysis of
a sample. Sieve Diameter Percent
a.
No. (mm) passing, %
4 4.76 90
8 2.38 64
10 2.00 58
20 0.84 35
40 0.42 22
60 0.25 15
100 0.149 10
b. D10 = 0.149 mm
200 0.074 4 c. Cu = 14.8
a. Plot the grain size curve of the soil. d. Cc = 1.21
b. Determine the effective size e. Well-graded sand, SW
c. Determine the coefficient of uniformity, Cu
d. Determine the coefficient of curvature, Cc
e. Classify the soil according to the Unified Classification System.